Closing a chapter nearly half a century in the making, BC Law celebrated the retirements of Professors Robert Bloom ’71 and Mark Brodin at a ceremony on June 4. For decades, the two taught alongside one another, produced scholarship together, and built a partnership rooted in friendship. As Dean stated her opening remarks, “It’s truly remarkable… and I suppose it’s fitting that they have chosen to move into this next chapter of their lives in parallel,” referring to them as “absolute legendary” faculty members.
Former dean Daniel Coquillette, whose arrival at BC Law coincided with Brodin’s in 1984, delivered a tribute to him. Noting that Brodin came from a very distinguished career in civil rights, he expressed how fortunate BC Law was to have him. “I can’t even imagine Boston College without Mark Brodin,” he said. He went on to describe Brodin’s impressive scholarship, calling him the leading authority on evidence in America today.
Brodin followed with his own remarks of gratitude. “The vital community that has thrived here has helped me succeed beyond my wildest expectations,” he said, calling BC Law “a place of learning, of scholarship, of friendship, of comradery, and basic human values and decency.”
Remarks in Bloom’s honor were delivered by Professor Mike Cassidy, who described Bloom as like an older brother from the time they met about 30 years ago. He joked about Bloom’s competitive nature, his victory dances on the pickleball court, and his famous catch phrase “How you doin’?” Calling Bloom’s heart one of gold, Cassidy shared how Bloom “was always there for his students. He was always willing to be generous to his students, and to meet them where they were.”
Reflecting on his time at BC Law, Bloom emphasized this sentiment and dedicated a portion of his speech to highlight his students’ success stories. Having the unique experience of being both a BC Law student and faculty member, he shared how he learned much more than law, but also about community, humanity, and justice, and “…felt comfortable with the Jesuit tradition of using one’s education to serve the rest of society.”
What Bloom and Brodin leave behind is not easily replaced. They influenced the way countless students think about law, justice, and what it means to do both well. BC Law is better for having them, and better still for having them together.
Photograph by Justin Knight